Used Volkswagen Golf Estate 2009 - 2013 review

It’s no great secret that the sixth-generation of the VW Golf was actually more like an improved version of its predecessor, and can thus trace its roots back to 2003. However, the Mk5 Golf was still a great starting point, and while this Estate version might not look quite as stylish as its hatchback equivalent it does add useful additional practicality to the formula.

For that you can thank a boot that’s 30% larger than the hatchback’s with the rear seats in place, making it ideal for families or those with dogs to transport (further helped by the low loading height and absence of a load lip). Another useful feature is that the rear seats fold at the touch of a button.

The rest of the formula is as you’ll find in a Mk6 Golf hatchback, which is to say very good. In particularly, it’s a quieter car than the Mk5 it replaced, making it relaxing to drive on a long journey, where it shuts out wind and tyre noise better than many cars from the class above. Handling is also neat and tidy, with the Estate showing little discernible difference to the hatchback unless it’s fully loaded.

Then of course there's the high-quality interior, which even today makes the Mk6 Golf Estate a pleasure to be in, being both very well built and easy to use.

The Estate missed out on some of the more powerful engines of the hatchback, but for most buyers the 1.6 or 2.0-litre diesel options will prove sufficient, as will the modest amount of trim levels. Those who prefer petrol power will have a tougher search; on the used car market, diesel Golf Estates tend to outnumber their petrol equivalents by approximately 60 to one.

As is the way with any Golf, you’ll pay a premium over most of its mainstream rivals, but will then be in possession of a car that will hold on to more of its value when time comes to sell.

Prices for this version of the VW Golf Estate start at about £3000, but for that you’re getting a diesel with a mileage that suggests it might well have been to the moon and back. For something with less than 80,000 miles on the clock you’ll pay close to £5,000, which opens up the possibility of both 1.6 and 2.0-litre TDI-engined models.

The market tops out at about £14,000, for which you’ll get a very well equipped, low-mileage 2013 car from a franchised main dealer.

Because the vast majority of Golf Estates are diesel-powered, running costs are low. The 1.6-litre engine in Bluemotion Technology guise with stop-start technology returns an official average of 67mpg while emitting just 109g/km of CO2, meaning it costs just £20 per year to tax. The non-Bluemotion Technology 1.6 TDI is marginally more expensive to tax at £30 per year.

Even the more powerful 2.0 TDI delivers impressive figures, recording 56.5mpg in EU fuel economy tests and emitting between 128 and 144g/km of CO2 depending what age and version of Golf Estate you choose, meaning it will cost at most £145 per year to tax.

Depending on driving style, servicing schedules can run up to two years or 20,000 miles, but we’d strongly recommend having your Golf Estate serviced every 12 months or 10,000 miles. The good news then that VW’s fixed-price servicing helps to keep costs transparent.

If you regularly carry heavy loads in the boot then the extra cost of the 2.0 TDI engine with 138bhp will be worth it. If not, then the 1.6-litre TDI diesel with 103bhp still performs well enough for most people, uses less fuel and is significantly cheaper to tax.

The entry-level S model features air-conditioning and electric windows but you need to upgrade to our favourite SE trim to also get alloy wheels, cruise control and an eight-speaker sound system. Top-of-the-line Sportline Golf Estates feature sports suspension, larger alloy wheels and a multi-function steering wheel.

Our favourite Volkswagen Golf Estate: 1.6 TDI SE

The Ford Focus Estate offers a more involving driving experience, while a Vauxhall Astra Estate looks like better value for money in terms of age, mileage and spec, but lags behind for future resale values, interior quality and driving experience.

Don’t overlook models from Volkswagen’s sister brands either, as both the Seat Leon ST and in particular the Skoda Octavia Estate offer a lot of space for the money and a similar driving experience, if not quite matching the Golf’s overall sense of class and refinement.

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